Hhex recognizes the DNA sequence 5'-ATTAA-3'.Hhex is a transcriptional repressor. Hhex may play a role in hematopoietic differentiation. Hhex establishes anterior identity at two levels; acts early to enhance canonical WNT-signaling by repressing expression of TLE4, and acts later to inhibit NODAL-signaling by directly targeting NODAL.